Discover Home Care in Missouri

Home care in Missouri is designed to provide seniors with varying levels of care in the comfort of their own homes. This can include anything from weekly assistance and companionship to 24-hour nursing attention and hospice services. Currently, there are about 636 agencies found throughout Missouri with an average monthly cost around $3,626.

Home Care in Missouri - Cost Comparison

When seeking a home health care aide for you or your loved one, it’s important to understand one’s individual needs for care. Generally speaking, licensed medical professionals work under the direction of a physician, with non-medical paraprofessionals working alongside other professionals in many cases. Home care can provide services such as housekeeping, general shopping, and medication management, to full-on nursing care and medical attention. Depending on what will be required on the job, the cost of this care will vary from each city to the next.

There are a number of cities throughout MS that have senior home care agencies but the median monthly cost ranges from:

Highest Cost: Kansas City & St. Joseph $3,909

Lowest Cost: Jefferson City & Springfield $3,432

City

Homemaker Services Monthly Costs

Home Health Aide Monthly Costs

Cape Girardeau

$3,813

$3,813

Columbia

$4,099

$3,813

Jefferson City

$3,384

$3,575

Joplin

$3,527

$3,527

Kansas City

$4,004

$4,195

Springfield

$3,552

$3,552

St. Louis

n/a

$3,813

Recreation & Attractions in Missouri

Visitors to Missouri can behold the tallest man-made arch in the world, the Gateway Arch dedicated to the Western expansion of the United States. Other attractions include the Titanic Museum featuring a role-playing experience of the tragic demise of this famous ship and its passengers. The Liberty Museum is another great place to visit, providing a memorial for the men and women who served in World War I.

Even if you aren't as mobile as you once were, Missouri provides a plethora of activities for seniors. There are senior centers scattered throughout Missouri that provide senior-friendly activities such as exercise classes, book clubs, game nights, and dance lessons. Specialized senior trips are also available to places such as the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the Missouri Botanical Gardens, or Table Rock Lake.

Missouri's Climate, Geography & Culture

The overall climate in Missouri is considered continental and supports four seasons. In the height of the summer, temperatures average 89 degrees and during the winter, the low averages 20 degrees. Heat waves during the summer are common and the state averages 206 days of sun annually. Out of 92 days of measurable precipitation throughout the year, Missouri receives 41 inches of snow and 14 inches of rain on average. Lightweight, sometimes mid-weight, clothing for the summer and heavy clothing for the winter are recommended.

Missouri’s culture is influenced by a mix of cultures because the state was a gateway for migrants heading west. The southern region of the state is complimented by the majestic Ozark Mountains, the Lake of the Ozarks, and many of the state’s national parks. The eastern and western part of the state house the two large cities, St. Louis and Kansas City. They are known for their unique jazz and blues music, along with nationally famous barbeque.

Crime & Safety in Missouri

When seeking home care in Missouri, it can help to learn which areas of the state have less crime and can be considered safer. Missouri has many neighborhood watches, and crime stopping organizations that seek to cooperate with local law enforcement to keep the state safe. Here are some of the safest cities found throughout Missouri:

Location

Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents

Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents

Louisiana

1.51

4.52

Tipton

0.00

6.56

Bonne Terre

0.99

5.64

Portageville

0.32

6.37

Missouri's Home Care Regulation & Laws

As determined by federal legislation (42 CFR 484.36), each Medicare-certified home health agency may only employ home care professionals who meet the state-approved training program requirements. These regulations ensure that each medical professional or non-medical paraprofessional has received a federal minimum of 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised practical training and an additional 12 hours of training every following year.

Payment Options for Missouri Home Care

Paying for home care is possible through a variety of different methods, with some more financially plausible than others. After you’ve determined the general price of home care near you, understanding how to pay is next.

First off, Medicare doesn't pay for non-medical in-home care services. Instead, it's used for its Supplemental Insurances to cover Medicare copayments and deductibles. Be aware that Medicare is only really available for medical services, usually for a relatively short period of time.

Veterans can receive assistance through the Improved Pension or Homebound and Aid & Attendance Pension. Applying for these benefits can be done by contacting your local Veterans' Association or Area Agency on Aging for more details and eligibility requirements.

In many cases, seniors will choose to pay privately using their own savings, a reverse mortgage, by opening a home equity line of credit, or by converting their life insurance policies to cash.

Lastly, Medicaid is an option for those families with low income. Each state has its own rules, eligibility requirements, and benefits and classifies home care as Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).

Senior & Elderly Rights for Home Care in Missouri

You are guaranteed a range of rights and protections as a senior receiving home care in Missouri.

Before your care begins, your home care professional must provide you with a briefing (many times in written form) regarding your rights and the decisions you have. Caretakers are to treat you and your personal property and privacy with respect at all times while providing their services.

Remember, you still retain your Constitutional rights and those afforded to you by the Bill of Rights. If you believe a violation has occured, don't hesitate to reach out to an elder care lawyer.

Missouri Home Care: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

As a senior receiving home care in Missouri, you reserve the right to obtain your medical records via written request (in most cases). Although your healthcare provider may argue privacy laws do not allow this, the opposite is true. You'll likely be charged a fee, but your records can be made available to you within 30 days. Beyond this time frame, you'll be provided with a statement as to why the delay or denial has occured.

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.